Window frame apparatus



21, 1964 R. E. DULEBOHN ETAL 3,113,133

wmnow FRAME APPARATUS Filed May 1, 1961 l 7 30 I t fu K g l I I I 30\ EINVENT s. G 2 RICHARD E. DULEBOHN l\\\\\\\ ALFRED w. BAGLEY Ll BYFULWIDER, MATTINGLY & HUNTLEY ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,113,183WKNDGW FEAR/E APPARATUS Richard E. Dnlehohn, San Pedro, and Alfred W.Bagley, Long Beach, Qaliil, assignors to Pacific flurtainwall, Inc, LongBeach, Cfliil, a corporation of California Filed May 1, 1961, 521'. No.196,715 1 Claim. (Ci. 2tl11) The present invention relates generally towindows and, more particularly, to means in a window for fixedlysecuring a pane of glass in place.

An important object of the invention is to provide a window constructionthat incorporates an improved means of quickly glazing the windowopening with a fixed pane of glass, to achieve a permanent weather-proofinstallation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a window pane securingmeans that is completely hidden from view but in which repairs orreplacement of the pane of glass can nevertheless be made withoutcausing injury of any of the parts of the assembly.

It is also an important object of the invention to provide a window paneholding device that insures a complete weatherproof seal entirely aroundthe edge of the glass.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide supporting means for apane of glass which insures that no expansion or contraction forces inthe surrounding building framework will be imposed on the glass.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following description of a presen ly preferred embodimentthereof when taken in conjunction with the annexed drawing wherein:

FZGURE 1 is a vertical sectional view taken transversely through awindow incorporating the invention; and

FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional view on a plane normal to the plane ofFIGURE 1, on the line 2--2.

The invention has special utility in the so-called curtainwall type ofconstruction, in which the openings of a grid of vertical and horizontalmetal members are filled with wall panels or windows. Accordingly, theinvention is illustrated in connection with metal window framing membersutilized in curtainwall or window-wall construction. However, it will beappreciated that the invention is not strictly limited to use in thisenvironment.

in the drawing, the window frame comprises a header 111, a pair ofmullions 11 (only one of which is shown) and a sill In curtainwallconstruction these members are typically extruded sections of aluminumand are available in a wide variety of cross-sectional configurations.The details of such configurations are pertinent to the invention in therespects hereinafter indicated. While the window frame may comprise arigid rectangular frame which is lifted and put into place within one ofthe openings of the curtainwall grid, in the present instance themullions 11 are illustrated as comprising the elongated vertical membersof the curtainwall grid.

It will be seen that the header 1t; and sill 12 have difierences indetails of cross-sectional configuration and it also will be understoodthat the mullions 11 may be different in cross-sectional configurationfrom either the header 1% or sill 12. However, the header, sill andmullions all have certain integrally formed portions in common, and,accordingly, will not be separately described with respect to the commonfeatures.

The header and sill 12 have body portions which are generallychannel-shaped in configuration. Thus, both ha 'e identical webs 13 andone side wall 14, the channel shape being completed by an opposite wall15 on the header 1%, and an opposite side wall 16 on the sill 12. Itwill be understood that each mullion 11 is similarly channel- BildddfiPatented Jan. 21, 1964 1:! shaped with a web 13 and one side wall 14.The opposite side wall 17 of the mullion 11 may vary in configuration,just as the configuration of the side wall 15 of the header 1i diilersfrom the configuration of the side wall 16 of the sill 12.

A single window is shown in the drawing, comprising a substantiallyrectangular pane 18 of glass that is slightly larger in length andheight than the horizontal and vertical dimensions, respectively,defined by the opening of the window frame elements. A length ofU-shaped sealing strip 19, of rubber or rubber-like material, is mountedalong the entire length of each edge of the pane 18 to embrace the edgeportion of the glass between the side walls of the strip. The abuttingends of the strips 19 preferably are cut to a miter joint, as indicatedat 29, and the ends may, if desired, be adhesively or otherwise securedtogether. Of course, all four sealing strips 19 are mounted on the pane18 before the glass is placed in the window frame. 1'1 this connection,care should be exercised in prescribing the dimensions of the pane 18 sothat when the sealing strips 19 are mounted in place the sealing stripson their inner edges define an opening of the same size as the openingdefined by the window frame elements.

The pane 18 is held in place by clamping along each edge, on a sealingstrip 19, with an elongated clamping member 21 to hold the pane againstan elongated abutmeat 22. The fixed abutment 22 comprises an integrallyformed portion of the side wall 14 of the header 10, mullions 11 andsill 12. Thus, each side wall 14, along its free edge, has a flangeportion 23 extendin inwardly of the channel-shape, parallel to the web13, and developing along its inner edge into the abutment 22, which isparallel to the side wall 14 and pointing towards the web 13. Theabutment 22 is preferably the sarne width as the sealing strip 19 sothat when the sealing strip, containing an edge of the pane 18, isclamped against the abutment, all of the width of the sealing strip willbe compressed into a fluid-tight seal between the glass and the metal.

The clamping members 21 are also extruded metal members having across-sectional configuration resemling an L. These clamping members,like the abutments 22, are of approximately the same length as thecorresponding dimension of the window opening defined by the header,mullions or sill, there being, preferably, one clamp for each side ofthe frame, and they are held against displacement solely by virtue oftheir clamping action.

Each of the clamping members 21, at the apex or junction of its pair ofangularly related side walls, is exteriorly formed with a longitudinallyextending lip 24 that is arcuate in cross-sectional configuration. Theconcave surface of this lip defines a substantially semicylindricalgroove 25. Similarly, the header 1t mullions 11 and sill 12, on theinside of their webs 1, are formed with longitudinally extendingintegral lips 27 that are also or" arcuate cross-sectionalconfiguration. As is indicated in FIGURE 1, the lip 24 of each clampingmember 21 is complementarily receivable within the groove 28 of a weblip 27 and, conversely, the lip 27 of each web 13 is receivable in asemi-cylindrical groove 2d of a clamp-ing member The clamping members 21thus have pivotal movement on the bearing provided by the lips 27 and24.

The wall 2a of each clamping member 21 is positioned for movement intoand out of clam-ping engagement against one side of a sealing strip 19,and the edge portion of the pane 13 embraced by [the sealing strip, inresponse to suitable pivotal movement of the clamping member. Foraccomplishing such pivotal movement, and for forcefully clamping themember 21 in opposition to the fixed abutment 22, the wall 26 of eachclamping member $3 threadedly mounts a plurality of set screws 3% whichbear against the web 13.

it will be seen that when the clamping members El are in place, thechannels of the header it mullions ll and sill 12 are open only in thespace between the free edge of the legs 29 of the clamping members andthe free edges of the si e walls l5, l7 and 16 of the channelshapedframing elements. To close this space and, also, to aid in reinforcingor maintaining the clamping members in clamping position, cover members31 are provided. Each of these cover members is also preferably made ofan extruded metal and has the cross-sectional con iguration shown inFTGURE 1.

It will be noted that each of the opposite side walls 15, in and 17 ofthe header 19, ll 12 and mullio-ns 11, respectively, is formed with a3-2 that extends inwardly relative to the channel shaped framingelement. In each case, this lip is recessed to define a shoulder 33adapted to seat one longitudinal edge of a cover flange 34 of the covermember, in flush relationship to the window framing element. Similarly,shoulder 35 is formed in the exposed edge of the leg 2-9 of eachclamping member, for seating. the other longitudinally extending edge ofthe flange 34.

The other flange 35 or the cover member 3-1, at its junction with theflange and on the side facing the lip 3-2,

is formed with a longitudinally extending groove 37 adapted to receivethe 32. Because of the reduced wall thickness in the flange 36 createdby the groove 37, the flange 36 is somewhat flexible and can bend whenthe cover member 31 s being pushed into place until the groove 37 snapsaround the lip 32. The webs 13 are interiorly formed with longitudinallyextending walls 38, which are of sufflcient height to engage the freeedge of the flange 35 of a cover member, before this snapping actionoccurs. As the cover member 31 is pushed into place, that face of theflange 3-5 in which the groove 37 is formed rides on a cam edge 3% ofthe lip 32, to gradually deform flange 36 until the snapping actionoccurs. After a cover member 31 is place, the engagement of the freeedge of the flange as with a wall 38 prevents lifting of that edge ofthe member 31 which is received in the shoulder 35. i

A variety of procedures for mounting the pane 18 will occur toexperienced glaziers. Assuming the pane 18 to be cut to the proper sizeand fitted with the sealing strips 1%, the following procedure may beused. Suitable wedge blocks may first be placed inside the sill 12 inorder to support the pane 28 in the manner shown in FIGURE 1, with thelower edge of the lower sealing strip 19 substantially flush with thelower edge of the sills abutment 22. A suitable length of clampingmember 21 can then be hooked onto the lip 27 of the header 1t) and theset screws 34 thereof turned to clamp the upper edge of the window panebetween the abutment 22 of Clampmg members 21 of suitable length can bemounted in the same fashion in the mu-llions if. and set screws 3%tightened for clamping the vertical edges of the pane and thecorresponding sealing strips 19. The temporary wedge blocks can then beremoved from the sill 12, after which the clamping member 21 for thesill can be mounted in place. Finally, the cover' rnbers El are snappedinto place on the header l8, mnl ens l1 and sill 32.

it will be seen that a complete weather seal is provided around the edgeof the pane 1%. Furthermore, this weather seal will not be adverselyaflected by the expansion and contraction of the surrounding metalframework nor will expansion and contraction stresses of the metal betransmitted to the pane 13. Such stresses instead are absorbed by thesealing strips 19, but without pulling the strips out of Weather sealingengagement with the pane l8, abutment 22 or clamping wall 29 of theclamping member 21.

in the event of damage to the pane 18, replacement can be readilyaccomplished. The fragments of glass can be pulled out of the sealingstrip or strips 19, and the strip can then be pulled out from betweenthe abut ment 22 and clamping wall 29. This will more readily permit theclamping member 21 to be pivoted towards the abutment 2-2 which, inturn, permits the cover member El to be released by moving its groove 37 out of engagement with the lip 32. In like manner, all of the clampingmembers 21 and cover members 31 can be released, after which a new paneof glass can be mounted in the manner previously described.

While a presently preferred embodiment of the invention has beenhereinabove set forth it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to specific details of construction but by the spirit and scopeof the following claim.

I claim:

A window frame element having means to support a panel of glass, saidelement comprising:

a generally channel. shaped framing member having opposite'sidewalls anda web portion, one of said sidewalls having an integrally formedabutment surface extending longitudinally of said member;

an elongated clamping member of generally L-shaped cross-sectionalconfiguration wholly disposed Within said channel member, said clampingmember having a longitudinally extending integrally formed lip disposedexteriorly at the apex of the legs of said L- shaped clampingmemberengageable with a lip integrally formed on the inner surface of said webportion of said channel shaped member and extending longitudinally ofsaid channel shaped member, said pair of lips providing pivotal bearingsupport for said clamping member;

a plurality of set screws threadedly mounted in one of the legs of saidclamping member that confronts and overlays said web portion of saidchannel shaped ember, saidscrews having bearing engagement with said webportion whereby to effect angular movement of said clamping member, theother leg of said clamping member confronting said abutment surface forclamping an edge portion of a pane of glass between said other leg ofsaid clamping member and said abutment surface;

an elongated cover member having a pair of angularly related flanges,one of said flanges having one edge seated on the swingable edge of saidother leg of said. clamping member and havingits other edge seated onthe free edge of the other sidewall of said channel shaped member, theother of said flanges of said cover member being disposed within saidchannel shaped member and having a detent engagement with said othersidewall of said channel shaped mem b er to prevent lifting of saidcover ember upwardly out of said channel shaped member, said otherflange of said cover member being flexible and having a free end,extending toward said web portion of said channel shaped member, saidfree end being engageable with one side of a rib integrally formed withsaid web portion to prevent lifting of said one edge of said firstmentioned flange of said cover member from said swingable edge of saidclamping member, said one flange of said cover member concealing saidother flange of said cover member, said set screws and substantially allof said clamping member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS1,877,835 Feykert Sept. 20, 1932 1,984,495 Plym Dec. 18, 1934 2,220,569Himmel et al. Nov. 5, 1940 2,270,036 Conlon Jan. 13, 1942 2,757,421Toney Aug. 7, 1956 2,848,762 Peterson Aug. 26, 1958

